Where it all began for Mick McCarthy

Born in Barnsley, Mick McCarthy made his league debut for the Fourth Division club on 20 August 1977 in a 4-0 win over Rochdale. An ever-present in his first two seasons, Mick had to wait until the third season to win promotion to the old Third Division. It was then the love affair that would endure through the decades began. Manager Alan Clarke brought in wise old head Ian ‘Taffy’ Evans to play alongside Mick and the pair struck up a relationship that would take them through coaching partnerships with Ireland, Sunderland and Wolves. Barnsley won promotion to the Second Division.

Mick was named Barnsley’s Player of the year three times (1978-1979-1981) and made the PFA team on five occasions. He left for Manchester City in 1983 having been controversially dropped for Nicky Law.